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Long time between Friday drinks for Kangaroos veteran Brent Harvey
At 38 Brent Harvey of the Kangaroos is playing in the Friday night blockbuster against North Melbourne, 18 years since the two sides last played a blockbuster.
North Melbourne’s Drew Petrie could scarcely believe it when he was shown footage this week of the defining moment of the last match between the Kangaroos and the Western Bulldogs played on a Friday night.
The hero that night, Brent Harvey, is no stranger to Petrie. But the date of the match stunned him: August 28, 1998.
The footage broadcast this week shows North Melbourne great Wayne Carey win the ball in the dying stages at the MCG and pass it to Harvey, who snatches a five-point win by kicking his third goal for the match.
Like tonight’s encounter, that was a top-of-the-table match. Harvey sealed the minor premiership with his kick, although the flag eluded both clubs over the next month. The Bulldogs were crushed by Adelaide in a preliminary final, while the Kangaroos had an unfortunate bout of the yips in front of goal on grand final day.
Nonetheless, it is another reminder of Harvey’s longevity as he closes on Michael Tuck’s games record of 426.
“Eighteen years ago ... our youngest player on the list, Ben McKay, he has just turned 18 at Christmas, so dare I say it he wouldn’t have been conceived back then,” Petrie said. “That is an uncanny fact. The way he (Harvey) is going, he might kick the winner on Friday night again.”
Petrie is not quite right about one matter — McKay was actually born the previous Christmas. But his point about Harvey stands. The 37-year-old remains a matchwinner, as proved by his deeds against Melbourne in round three.
Harvey’s vitality has been mirrored this season by North’s other 30-somethings and is a reason the Kangaroos sit atop the ladder. Petrie, 33, has not been as potent in goalkicking terms but his influence in attack and elsewhere has been important at critical times in matches.
Former Blue Jarrad Waite, also 33, is in career-best form and is equal second with Lance Franklin on the goalkicking list with 18.
Daniel Wells, 31, is back to his club champion best after two seasons ruined by injury. Michael Firrito, 32, continues to demand a role in defence. Nick Dal Santo, also 32, is playing as well now as he did at St Kilda, according to North coach Brad Scott.
Some predicted the Kangaroos would slide down the ladder this season, given the number of veterans still required to play important roles. On the evidence so far, those veterans are as fit as they have ever been and no side is in better shape. To date, 19 Kangaroos have played every game of the year, the most of any club, and a string of younger players have also been vital.
The Bulldogs, who have lost key personnel at half-back recently, have 16 players who have played all five games this year.
The Kangaroos have won 11 of 20 quarters this season — the Bulldogs are 15 from 20 — yet Petrie said they have known when to press and when to hold firm due to their experience.
“These games, it is a reflection on the group that we are a bit more mature — we are the oldest in the league — and we are finding a way to win these close ones,” he told Fox Footy’s AFL Today. “It reflects on the maturity of the group.”
The Kangaroos are unchanged for tonight’s match.
As for their opponents, with Matt Suckling joining Bob Murphy and Jason Johanissen on the sidelines, the Bulldogs last night called on Fletcher Roberts.
- The Australian
- April 29, 2016 12:00AM
- Courtney Walsh
At 38 Brent Harvey of the Kangaroos is playing in the Friday night blockbuster against North Melbourne, 18 years since the two sides last played a blockbuster.
North Melbourne’s Drew Petrie could scarcely believe it when he was shown footage this week of the defining moment of the last match between the Kangaroos and the Western Bulldogs played on a Friday night.
The hero that night, Brent Harvey, is no stranger to Petrie. But the date of the match stunned him: August 28, 1998.
The footage broadcast this week shows North Melbourne great Wayne Carey win the ball in the dying stages at the MCG and pass it to Harvey, who snatches a five-point win by kicking his third goal for the match.
Like tonight’s encounter, that was a top-of-the-table match. Harvey sealed the minor premiership with his kick, although the flag eluded both clubs over the next month. The Bulldogs were crushed by Adelaide in a preliminary final, while the Kangaroos had an unfortunate bout of the yips in front of goal on grand final day.
Nonetheless, it is another reminder of Harvey’s longevity as he closes on Michael Tuck’s games record of 426.
“Eighteen years ago ... our youngest player on the list, Ben McKay, he has just turned 18 at Christmas, so dare I say it he wouldn’t have been conceived back then,” Petrie said. “That is an uncanny fact. The way he (Harvey) is going, he might kick the winner on Friday night again.”
Petrie is not quite right about one matter — McKay was actually born the previous Christmas. But his point about Harvey stands. The 37-year-old remains a matchwinner, as proved by his deeds against Melbourne in round three.
Harvey’s vitality has been mirrored this season by North’s other 30-somethings and is a reason the Kangaroos sit atop the ladder. Petrie, 33, has not been as potent in goalkicking terms but his influence in attack and elsewhere has been important at critical times in matches.
Former Blue Jarrad Waite, also 33, is in career-best form and is equal second with Lance Franklin on the goalkicking list with 18.
Daniel Wells, 31, is back to his club champion best after two seasons ruined by injury. Michael Firrito, 32, continues to demand a role in defence. Nick Dal Santo, also 32, is playing as well now as he did at St Kilda, according to North coach Brad Scott.
Some predicted the Kangaroos would slide down the ladder this season, given the number of veterans still required to play important roles. On the evidence so far, those veterans are as fit as they have ever been and no side is in better shape. To date, 19 Kangaroos have played every game of the year, the most of any club, and a string of younger players have also been vital.
The Bulldogs, who have lost key personnel at half-back recently, have 16 players who have played all five games this year.
The Kangaroos have won 11 of 20 quarters this season — the Bulldogs are 15 from 20 — yet Petrie said they have known when to press and when to hold firm due to their experience.
“These games, it is a reflection on the group that we are a bit more mature — we are the oldest in the league — and we are finding a way to win these close ones,” he told Fox Footy’s AFL Today. “It reflects on the maturity of the group.”
The Kangaroos are unchanged for tonight’s match.
As for their opponents, with Matt Suckling joining Bob Murphy and Jason Johanissen on the sidelines, the Bulldogs last night called on Fletcher Roberts.